FINAL I-5987 Post Meeting Summary_1-15-19.pdf

CAL`1�'X
ENGINEERS + CONSULTANTS
MEETING NOTES
To:
From:
Date:
Re:
Meeting Participants
Brian Yamamoto, CALYX, an NV5 Company
February 18, 2019
6750 Tryon Road
Cary, NC 27518
P: 919.836.4800
F: 919.836.4801
CALYXengineers.com I NVS.com
Post Agency Introduction Meeting Summary; STIP Project I-5987, I-95 Widening from US
301 (Exit 22) in Robeson County to I-95 Business/US 301 (Exit 40) in Cumberland County.
Widen to eight lanes.
The purpose of this meeting is to discuss input received from NCDOT and agency representatives
during an Agency Introduction Meeting held on January 15, 2019 at the NCDOT Highway Division 6
Office.
MEETING PARTICIPANTS
Scott Boyles
Liz Hair
John Merritt
Nick Mountcastle
Jerry Page
Greg Price
Scott Pridgen
Jim Rerko
Joanne Steenhuis
Brian Yamamoto
Gannett Fleming, Inc.
USACE
CALYX
CALYX
Gannett Fleming, Inc.
NCDOT Division 6
NCDOT Division 6
NCDOT Division 6
NCDWR
CALYX
PROJECT DISCUSSION
Jim Rerko began the meeting by noting its purpose to provide agency representatives with an overview
of the project prior to the Preliminary Jurisdictional Determination (PJD) field review, which was held
immediately following the conclusion of the meeting. He noted the recent excessive rainfall amounts
may have complicated determinations of streams or ditches and indicated field review will mostly focus
on these features. He stated Brian Yamamoto will provide a presentation reviewing the project
background and status.
Mr. Yamamoto began the presentation by reviewing the meeting agenda and requesting participants to
provide input on any known constraints or red-flags as they arose during the presentation along with
expectations as the project develops. He noted the project is currently not expected to go through the
Merger process, however representatives could voice their opinion if they disagreed.
Mr. Yamamoto stated the project was initially federally-funded, however the recently released Draft 2020
STIP indicates the project is now state-funded. He noted his understanding is since the project is located
along an interstate, FHWA will remain as the lead federal agency. Mr. Yamamoto said the proposed
improvements will involve widening the existing four-lane section to eight lanes by using a combination
of widening inside to the existing median and to the outside where necessary. He noted all the

I-5987 Agency Introduction Meeting
overpasses along the project corridor are currently expected to be replaced except for the bridge at Exit
22 (US 301). Mr. Rerko also stated several bridges along I-95 in the project area do not currently meet
the 17-foot minimum height requirement.
Mr. Yamamoto continued by reviewing the draft statement of purpose and need for the project along
with projected traffic volumes through the design year of 2040. He stated the purpose of the project is
to maintain the integrity of I-95 between Exit 22 and Exit 40 at a high Level of Service (LOS) and
reliability such that it can continue to serve as a primary east coast shipping and travel route through the
2040 design year. Mr. Rerko asked what the current LOS is along I-95 in the project area. Mr. Yamamoto
responded the traffic analysis has not yet been received so we are still unsure.
Liz Hair asked what the desired LOS will be in the design year. Brian Yamamoto responded the
Lumberton Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) indicated a LOS C was desired, while other
relevant CTP documents indicated a LOS D. CALYX will discuss this question with FHWA to determine
an appropriate LOS goal for the portion of I-95 within the study area. Ms. Hair also asked for clarification
on the meaning of the phrase 'maintain the integrity' in the draft project purpose. Mr. Yamamoto noted
"integrity" could be tied to multiple indicators such as LOS or safety. He also mentioned several
locations along the corridor had been previously identified as having safety issues by CTP documents
and indicated improving design in these locations could contribute to maintaining integrity of the
corridor.
Mr. Yamamoto reviewed the environmental features mapping which included an aerial view of the
project study area and delineated stream and wetland features. He noted the presence of Tom Blanks
Park, a potential 4(fl resource just west of the truck weigh station. Jim Rerko asked if there would be
impacts to this property and Mr. Yamamoto responded we don't know exactly what the design will look
like in this location but will try to stay within the existing right-of-way as much as possible.
Jim Rerko noted the two bridges carrying I-95 over Little Marsh Swamp (Bridge Nos. 164 and 165)
experienced significant scour during Hurricane Matthew and stated the storm had almost completely
exposed the bridge pilings. He indicated the agencies have also verified these conditions in the field.
Mr. Yamamoto noted the presence of several conservation easements owned by the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service along the project corridor. He stated roadway design will attempt to stay within the
existing right of way at these locations.
Mr. Yamamoto concluded the presentation with a review of the proposed typical sections, revisions to
the Draft 2020 STIP, and schedule for agency and public involvement moving forward. Milestones
included roadway design in Spring 2019, public meetings in Summer 2019, Categorical Exclusion
document in Fall 2019, and STIP-designated dates of right of way in federal fiscal year (FFI� 2022, and
construction let in unfunded future years. He noted the Draft 2020 STIP has updated the schedule for
right of way to FFY 2023 and construction let to FFY 2026.
He asked agency representatives for any requests regarding coordination as the project development
process continues. Joanne Steenhuis stated she received the start of study materials from the State
Clearinghouse but is used to getting them in an earlier email with the rest of the start of study recipients.
Brian Yamamoto noted that all state agencies that normally receive notification through the State
Clearinghouse were removed from the separate Start of Study email for this notification but adding
these agencies back to the email distribution for future projects will be considered.
Jim Rerko said that as project development and functional design continues, state and federal agencies
will continue to be engaged by Division 6 and are welcome to revisit any information they would like. Liz
Hair responded that potential alternatives could be evaluated in locations where the study area extends
beyond the existing right of way. Mr. Rerko added that the proposed design will likely need to achieve
100-year conveyance over hydraulic features, which could result in additional impacts.

6750 Tryon Road
Cary, NC 27518
CA L`�'X P: 919.836.4800
F: 919.836.4801
CALYXengineers.com I NVS.com
ENG{NEERS + CONSULTANTS
CORRECTIONS & OMISSIONS: This summary is the writer's interpretation of the events, discussions,
and transactions that took place during the meeting. If there are any additions and/or corrections, please
inform Mr. Scott Pridgen (c�sprid�en@ncdot.�ov1 or Mr. Brian Yamamoto
(byamamoto@calyxen�ineers.com) in writing within 10 days.
cc: Steve Kendall, NCDOT Division 6
File 2016032.25

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January 15, 2019 NCDOT Highway Division 6